Obituaries

Charles E. Marks

Charles Edward Marks, 91, of Princeton, died February 23 at home. He had lived in Princeton from his mid-50s until his death.

A fifth generation Nashvillian, he graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1938. He was the youngest child of Sigmund and Dorothy Sulzbacher Marks.

After graduate work at Georgia Tech, he arrived in New York in 1940 to begin his career as a petroleum chemical engineer, first for MW Kellogg and later Mobil Oil Corporation. Over the next 46 years he worked domestically and around the world, in Paris, Naples, Brod (Yugoslavia), London, Frankfurt, and Stavanger. His work was often at the forefront of the oil industrys development, from shale oil exploration to the birth of the United Kingdoms and Norways first North Sea platforms. He was recognized with a patent for his original refinery process design. He completed his career at Mobil Oil Corporations research and development headquarters in Pennington.

A prodigious reader and talented writer of letters and rhymes, he was known as a polymath, lover of trees and rivers, and beloved husband and father.

Predeceased by a brother, Louis, and sister, Dorothy, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Andree Polturak Marks; a son, Christopher of London, England; a daughter, Amanda McKinlay of Los Angeles; and four grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Program of the Princeton Health Care System; or to Memorial Sloane-Kettering Hospital, New York.

Arrangements were by the Alloway Funeral Home, 315 East Maple Avenue, Merchantville.

Elizabeth Blydenburgh

Elizabeth Blydenburgh, 70, of Toms River, formerly of Princeton, died February 26 at Community Medical Center, Toms River.

Born and raised in Princeton, she also lived in Lawrenceville and Ewing Township before moving to Toms River five years ago.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Post 351, Seaside Heights, the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 1875 in Toms River, and Moose, Ortley Beach. She enjoyed oil painting, gardening, and fishing, and was an avid bird watcher and beach person. A homemaker and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she devoted her life to her family.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas; three daughters, Kellie Hullfish of West Trenton, Michele Schindewolf of Hamilton, and Catherine Wilson of Hightstown; her father, Lawrence (Skip) Ferrara of Princeton; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held April 5 at 10 a.m. at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.

Memorial donations may be made to the Audubon Society at www.audubon.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ocean County Cremation Service, 206 Lacey Road, Forked River.

Edward J. Geisel

Edward J. Geisel, 81, of Columbus, formerly of Princeton Junction, died March 3 at home.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was a resident of Princeton Junction from 1972 until moving to Columbus 15 years ago.

He retired after 35 years of service as a senior marketing representative for Dupont Company of Wilmington, Del.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II, a former Commander of the American Legion Post of Princeton, a member of VFW, an officer in the German American Club of Allentown, and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hamilton.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Marie Geisel, and a brother, Gerard. He is survived by his wife Angela Schweiger Geisel; three daughters, Marie Denise Robbins of Bordentown Township, and Stacy Patrice Geisel and Colette Lorraine Geisel, both of New York City; three sons, Edward Kevin of Bordentown City, Keith Thomas of Salt Lake City, and Matthew James of Columbus; two brothers, William F. and Robert E.; two sisters, Alice T. Landers and Dorothy M. Cannon; and four grandchildren.

The funeral will be tomorrow, Thursday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m. at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue. It will be followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Pauls Church, 214 Nassau Street.

Burial will be in Princeton Cemetery.

Calling hours will be today, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Maxwell Memorial Donations

Memorial donations for Sanders (Sandy) Maxwell, who died February 23 at the University Medical Center at Princeton, may be sent to Princeton Universitys Triangle Club. The address to be used is Triangle Club, c/o William Lockwood, McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton 08540.